Day 6, morning practice ... Francis bounces back ... and what are they smoking at Sports Illustrated?

Update ... I thought that picking Oregon State eighth this season was a little harsh. ... didn't blink an eye when the Pac-10 media said Riley's guys would be sixth. ... it sounded about right, considering all the questions. ... although I wouldn't faint dead away if they were fourth or fifth, either. ... then there is the opposite end of the spectrum with Sports Illustrated declaring that OS(U) is No. 18 in the nation! ... two spots ahead of Oregon. ...Who knew? I guess I better start dressing better for practice, starting tomorrow morning. Here was coach Mike Riley's reaction Wednesday afternoon: "I think it's a nice deal for the players and a sense of pride for them after finishing the last two years strong. But, in reality, it doesn't mean much right now. It's how you finish.''

WEDNESDAY, after OSU's morning workout on Day 6.

I don't care if you are a Duck or a Beaver or a Viking or even an Ohio State honk - no one wants to see a kid go down with a knee injury and wipe out his chances of playing.

We felt for JC running back Jeremy Francis in the spring (he's No. 22) when he got hit low, dinged his left knee, and later had to have surgery.

We thought it was semi-tragic yesterday when he got hit on the first day of full contact and had to be helped to the sidelines. ... his body language didn't look good.

But it was just a scare, said Francis, who was back in action Wednesday for the morning practice, running close to full strength.

"I took a hit to the knee, but it was tweaked more than anything,'' said Francis, the back-up to No. 1 TB Ryan McCants.

"It was something real similar to what I felt when I tore it,'' said Francis. "So I was scared. ... then I went and got it checked out and stuff and it was just a deep contusion. I just have to ice it a lot and I'll be ready to go.''

Francis said he wanted to see how the knee felt Wednesday, "but I also held back a little bit. It was still sore from yesterday.''

Francis said there was a mental flash of "why me?'' Tuesday.

"Yeah, because I've come a long way from the surgery and all the rehab,'' he said. "I've come a long way and it was kinda frustrating but you've gotta get through it.''

Said coach Mike Riley, who was obviously relieved, "it was exactly what Barney (trainer Barney Graff) said it was initially so that's really good. ... he practiced full speed today.''

Left guard Jeremy Perry (knee) didn't dress, but Riley remains confident Perry will at least be able to play some in the Aug. 28 season opener vs. Stanford. We will probably see either Adam Speer or Gregg Peat at LG in the opener. "And we'll rotate Jeremy in like we do with the D-line,'' said Riley. "We may (do that) more because of him. Especially early. Just to see where he is.''

C Marcus Henderson, who thought he might be coming down with something and was running a temperature earlier this week, was fine Tuesday and also worked out full bore Wednesday morning.

QB Sean Canfield didn't do much. He said afterwards his shoulder is still sore. "We think he's going to throw tonight, so we kept him out of the practice this morning,'' said Riley.

And regarding the worst-case scenario with No. 5?

"If he's not ready to be the No. 2, which I think he will be, then (redshirt) freshman Justin Engstrom has really progressed a lot and I feel good about that.'' .... hmmm.

And at one point, OSU lined up with true frosh TB Jacquizz Rodgers in the I-formation, with brother James Rodgers behind him. ... all sorts of possibilities there. "I think it can present some problems for the defense,'' said Riley.

No scuffles yet (not hot enough) but O-lineman Adam Speer did rip off backup MLB Will Darkins' helmet. Does that count?

More "best this, and best that'' stuff ... DE Victor Butler won "Best Dressed'' in a landslide. CB Brandon Hughes was voted Best Singer. ... Best Prankster vote went to LB Dennis Christopher and Best Dancer went to true frosh DE Taylor Henry.